E-sports Are Becoming a Mass Sport: Germany

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
More than 4 million gamers in Germany have participated in e-sports tournaments or leagues, representing nearly one in ten gamers.
02
Approximately 3 million German gamers participate in e-sports competitions on a regular or occasional basis.
03
There is significant growth potential, with 9 million gamers (21%) expressing interest in future competition and 23% open to joining an e-sports club.
04
Amateur e-sports participation is dominated by sports and racing games (42%) and shooters (42%), followed by real-time strategy games (31%) and combat games (26%).
05
While MOBA titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 dominate professional prize pools and viewership, they rank only third in amateur participation at 26%.
06
The German Games Industry Association (BIU) is advocating for e-sports to be granted charitable status to better support youth development and social engagement.

Summary

E-sports have evolved into a significant mass-market phenomenon in Germany, with participation rates indicating widespread adoption among the gaming population. Data reveals that more than 4 million gamers in Germany have participated in e-sports tournaments or leagues, with nearly 3 million engaging on a regular or occasional basis. Furthermore, there is substantial potential for future growth, as 21 percent of German gamers express interest in competing in events, and 23 percent are open to joining an e-sports club.

The landscape of amateur competition differs notably from professional circuits. While professional e-sports are dominated by multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) titles, amateur players primarily gravitate toward sports, racing, and shooter games, each accounting for 42 percent of amateur participation. Real-time strategy games and combat titles also maintain a significant presence among casual competitors. Despite this popularity, the industry highlights a regulatory disparity, noting that e-sports currently lack the charitable status afforded to traditional sports in Germany. Industry advocates argue that this classification prevents the sector from fully contributing to youth development, education, and social engagement.

The findings are based on a representative online survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH between July 27 and August 3, 2017, involving 2,000 participants aged 16 and older. This analysis is further supported by the broader industry report, "BIU Fokus: eSports," which provides a comprehensive overview of the development, status, and future potential of digital sports within the German market. The data underscores a clear shift in the perception and practice of digital gaming, positioning it as a foundational element of modern German sports culture.